From: "Steve Wingate"
Subject: SNET: (Fwd) 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-tryptophan)
Date: 8 Aug 1998 16:43:36 -0400
To: SNETNEWS , CTRL@LISTSERV.AOL.COM
-> SNETNEWS Mailing List
------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 20:10:43 -0700
From: TAL
Reply-to: zontal@earthlink.net
Subject: 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-tryptophan)
HREF="http://www.medquestpharmacy.com/5-htp.htm">http://www.medquestpharmacy.
com/5-htp.htm
Now, a natural and safe alternative to drugs like L-Tryptophan, designed to
regulate ;brain serotonin levels (called Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors or SSRIs), is ;available in the form of
5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan (5-HTP). 5-HTP, a compound ;synthesized in the
body from the amino acid tryptophan, is ten times more active than
;L-Tryptophan and is the immediate precursor to serotonin. Since
serotonin is found ;in the brain and central nervous system it has
many implications for improving mood, ;behavior, and sleep patterns.
;The function of Prozac® and many other antidepressant drugs, is
to increase the ;availability of serotonin in certain brain synapses.
Unfortunately, these drugs are ;expensive and can sometimes produce
unpleasant and dangerous side affects.
;Now that tryptophan is restricted by the FDA, researchers have
clinically
;investigated 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) in comparison to
antidepressant drugs. ;The results of the studies were astounding.
Using the standard depression scale, both ;the drug and 5-HTP
(5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) groups displayed identical reduction ;in
depression. Depressed patients who received 100mg of 5-HTP
;(5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan), three times daily, showed at least a 50%
improvement in ;their symptoms, without any reported side effects.
Similar studies with depressed ;children demonstrated equal benefit.
;Subsequent studies were performed using 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan)
for ;anxiety, panic disorder, sleep difficulties and obesity. In his
research, R.S. Kahn ;observed an obvious decline in anxiety symptoms
when supplementing with 5-HTP ;(5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan), and patients
with panic disorder noticed a feeling of relief ;after receiving
5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan). Melatonin, which helps regulate our
;sleep-wake cycle, is a metabolite of serotonin. Early research
studies show that ;supplementing with 5-HTP may also have similar
positive effects on sleep patterns. ;And, in a six week clinical
study with obese patients, those supplemented with ;5-HTP
(5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) were able to reduce carbohydrate intake, and
;experienced a feeling of early satiety, which contributed to
significant weight loss.
;5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) is an extract from a natural plant
seed (Grafonia
;Seed) and not from fermented Tryptophan.
;5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) should not be used with MAO inhibitors
or other ;antidepressants. ;Please note: This statement has
not been evaluated by the Food and Drug ;Administration (FDA). This
product is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any ;disease.
;If you are interested in the potentially life changing benefits of
5-HTP ;(5-hyroxy-tryptophan), call MedQuest Pharmacy at 888.222.2956.
*************************************************************************
Depression;;; :;
HREF="http://www.healthy.net/library/books/werbach/part3/depress.htm">http://w
ww.healthy.net/library/books/werbach/part3/depress.htm See Also:
Bipolar Disorder, Insomnia, Organic Mental Disorders, Premenstrual Syndrome
Dietary Factors
;;;; Low fat, high complex carbohydrate diet
;;;; Avoid caffeine and sucrose
;;;; Avoid chocolate
;;;; Avoid alcohol
Vitamins
;;;; Folic Acid
;;;; Niacin
;;;; Riboflavin
;;;; Thiamine
;;;; Vitamin B6
;;;; Vitamin B12
;;;; Vitamin C
Minerals
;;;; Calcium
;;;; Copper
;;;; Iron
;;;; Magnesium
;;;; Potassium
;;;; Selenium
;;;; Zinc
Other Nutritional Factors
;;;; Biotin
;;;; Carnitine
;;;; Essential fatty acids
;;;; L-5-Hydroxytryptophan
************************************************************************
The best food sources of Tryptophan are pineapple, turkey, chicken,
yogurt, bananas and unripened cheese. Combining these foods with some
carbohydrates, such as pasta, cereal or bread etc., will enable your brain
to absorb the tryptophan more effectively, where it is used to manufacture
serotonin.
TRYPTOPHAN, an essential amino acid, is one of the amino acids which
the body
; cannot manufacture itself, but most acquire from food. It is
the least abundant in
;; proteins and also easily destroyed by the liver. Tryptophan
is necessary for the ;production of the B-vitamin niacin, which is
essential for your brain to manufacture ;the key neurotransmitter
serotonin. Scientists have linked low serotonin levels with ;;
insomnia, anxiety and depression. It helps control hyperactivity, relieves
stress, ;;;;;; suppresses the appetite and
enhances the release of growth hormones.
More than forty studies have shown the effectiveness of Tryptophan for
insomnia. It has been shown to enable people to fall asleep more quickly,
and to increase sleep time without the hangover effect of regular sleeping
pills. Studies have also found it effective for jet lag. In one study at
the University of California School of Medicine, fifty one marines were
flown across eight time zones. Half received tryptophan and the other half
placebos. Those who got the amino acid were able to sleep more and
responded better on performance tests and reaction times.
Other studies show tryptophan to have anti-anxiety effects and control
aggressive behavior in some individuals. Used in combination with drug
therapy, Tryptophan has helped previously unresponsive depressed patients.
Another study showed it's anti-depressant effect to be of longer duration
than the popular anti-depressant drug Imipramine.
Some evidence shows that this amino acid may also be effective for people
suffering from chronic pain. Sensitivity to pain is partly affected by the
serotonin levels in your brain. People taking Tryptophan in addition to
their standard pain medications, reported fewer painful, debilitating
symptoms than when they used the pain drugs alone. Tryptophan decreases
amphetamine craving in animal studies and it may also have a role in
alcohol withdrawal. Preliminary studies of combined Vitamin B-6 and
tryptophan show that they may reduce the severity of hyperventilation and
the panic attacks it may produce.
Although Tryptophan has a long history of safe use, in December 1989
the FDA
reported over 600 cases of a flu-like syndrome associated with a blood
abnormality in those taking the amino acid. Although the problem was
traced to a contaminated batch, Tryptophan is no longer available in
supplement form. Because of potential adverse reactions, tryptophan
supplements are not recommended in pregnant women, asthmatics or people
with auto-immune disorders like Lupus or Scleroderma.;
HREF="http://www.smartbasic.com/glos.aminos/tryptophan.glos.html">http://www.s
martbasic.com/glos.aminos/tryptophan.glos.html
************************************************************************
For more info on 5-HTP, go to :
HREF="http://www.smartbasic.com/glos.news/1.listening.to.5htp.html">http://www
.smartbasic.com/glos.news/1.listening.to.5htp.html and
HREF="http://www.smartbasic.com/glos.news/1.5htp.html">http://www.smartbasic.c
om/glos.news/1.5htp.html
Introduction
The chemical serotonin is important for a variety of brain functions.
Its deficit is now believed to be
central to the development of depression, sleep disorders, obesity
and addiction. Serotonin can be
produced commercially from the amino acid tryptophan in two steps or
it can be obtained directly in
foods such as bananas. Serotonin can also be made in the body from
5-hydroxy L-tryptophan
(5-HTP) which is simply, the modified amino acid obtained from plant
sources. | | |
